A model for integrating molecular-based testing in transfusion services.

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Genomics

Background:

• Molecular-based tests enhance blood group antigen prediction, complementing traditional serological methods.
• These advanced techniques aid in resolving complex cases of blood group typing discrepancies and antibody identification.
• Hospital transfusion services can adopt molecular methods into their operational workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a collaborative model between a hospital and a reference laboratory for implementing molecular blood group genotyping.
• To demonstrate the practical application and benefits of this partnership in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples from a diverse patient population were analyzed using serological methods for compatibility testing.
• When serological results were inconclusive, samples were referred for molecular-based genotyping.
• Genotyping employed techniques such as PCR-RFLP, sequence-specific primer PCR, and array-based methods, including Human Erythrocyte Antigen (HEA), RHCE, and RHD SNP arrays.

Main Results:

• The hospital-reference laboratory partnership facilitated prompt integration of blood group genotyping using current technologies.
• This model avoided the need for new laboratory equipment or specialized personnel within the hospital.
• Ten illustrative cases showcased how molecular methods successfully resolved various serological challenges.

Conclusions:

• While in-hospital molecular testing presents logistical benefits, it is often financially prohibitive for individual hospitals.
• The described hospital-reference laboratory partnership model offers a practical and cost-effective solution for integrating molecular blood group testing.
• This collaborative approach promotes genomic medicine by leveraging centralized expertise and infrastructure, supporting hospital transfusion services without substantial capital outlay.